American Government: Constitutional Foundations

This module explores the origins of the nation's political culture, its adoption through generations of Americans, and its ongoing influence on politics and policies. Students examine U.S. welfare and education policy as examples, while learning about how society resolves conflicts over scarce resources and conflicting values.

This module examines constitutional provisions for limited government and their effectiveness in preventing power abuse. Students analyze historical cases including the Watergate scandal, Japanese American internment during WWII, and post-9/11 enemy detainee handling.

This module investigates the founders' reasoning for limiting popular influence and the evolution of the original system. Students examine contemporary voting barriers including gerrymandering, voter registration requirements, and voter ID laws.

This module explores power distribution between federal and state governments, examining how constitutional clauses, partisan differences, and changing national needs affect federalism. Students analyze constitutional disputes, including the 2010 healthcare reform act case.

This module examines the development and current state of individual rights in America. Students study major Supreme Court rulings concerning free speech and protection from unreasonable search and seizure to understand modern civil liberties.

This module focuses on policies expanding rights for disadvantaged groups, including the 14th Amendment's equal protection clause, 1964 Civil Rights Act, and affirmative action. Students examine contentious cases including recent Supreme Court rulings on university admissions.